Weight Loss Information: Motivation Should Go Beyond Vanity

There are a multitude of reasons to pursue weight loss solutions.  Truthfully speaking there are probably no bad ones, with the obvious exception of eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia. The most common reason is most likely to look good in a swimsuit or for an important upcoming event, or to get back into the clothing size we used to wear. Weight also plays a large role in positive self image and social acceptance. So maybe my use of the term vanity is a little strong but it does encapsulate in broad terms a lot of the reasons people research weight loss information and seek out the best weight loss program.

The reasons I would like to discuss are those that go beyond vanity and/or positive self image. Those motivated by overall wellness and medical necessity. Let me first confess that my interest in weight loss only began 6 months ago. My wife had accumulated about 40 pounds of excess weight over the past 5 years and it was beginning to really frustrate her. I was eager to support her and so I decided to totally immerse myself in the process. The first thing we did was to determine our individual Body Mass Index. In calculating my BMI I discovered that I was above the optimum guidelines and that I also needed to lose 20 pounds. We were both already eating well and physically active. Losing the weight was going to be a challenge.

In searching for the best weight loss program I established some parameters. The most important was that the program be based on good nutrition and not simply on a crash diet concept. Literally days after starting my program I felt a significant boost in energy and alertness. The body has remarkable self-healing capabilities when provided with the correct nutrition. Your wellness plan should provide at a minimum the RDA of vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients. The Recommended Dietary Allowance is a debatable and evolving guideline but it is functional as a wellness program baseline.  This is the first concept I wanted to address. Find a wellness plan that works for you and then commit to it. I have stuck to mine for the past 6 months, even after having attained my goal weight, and I have every intention of continuing to do so. I sleep better, I am more productive and I enjoy a pleasing sense of general well-being. The benefits you will experience will greatly enhance the quality of the rest of your life.

The second concept is weight loss for medical reasons. My wife and I regularly conduct weight loss challenges in the course of our business. Last week I had a participant tell me after the weekly meeting that she was angry at herself for having been a terrible example to her teenage daughter. She had fallen into the trap of eating convenience foods and paying little attention to making wise meal choices. Her daughter is now overweight and on a medical watch for diabetes yet she is resistant to changing her eating habits. Everyday doctors are telling patients that they need to lose weight or suffer serious consequences. Dr David Heber, M.D., Ph.D., author of "What Color is Your Diet?" asks the pertinent paraphrased question: "At what point did food become more about taste and fussy palates than about providing correct nutrition for our complex human bodies?"  Obesity is rampant in the United States and many other countries. This obesity epidemic is now spreading like wildfire among children. The signs are ominous but all is not lost. High profile people like Michelle Obama are championing the obesity cause and there are solutions out there. Parents need to take responsibility and teach their children how to eat well. There is an abundance of weight loss information available. Make it your business to do the research and ensure that your families are not on the path to major medical complications.